Shillong, August 03: The BSF troops deployed at Dulainala in South West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya seized 240.68 Cft of wooden logs approx worth more than Rs. 6 lacs on international border while being smuggled out to Bangladesh through culvert of Nokria Nullah. Due to recent heavy rain fall and consequent rise in water level, smugglers are exploiting the flow of Nullah towards Bangladesh for smuggling forest wood.
Wooden logs are often concealed under improvised bamboo rafts for smuggling of wood logs to Bangladesh. Despite regular seizure of wooden logs by BSF at zero line, smuggling of wooden logs continues unabated from hinterland. Poaching of forest products by smugglers on Indian side with the help of their Bangladeshi associates in border area especially in unfenced area of East Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills area is effecting the ecosystem of the area besides massive loss to the state.
In spite of various constrains like hostile terrain, weather and unfenced gaps, BSF troops are keeping constant vigil in the border upto the extent possible. Force multiplier in the form of thermal imagers and night vision devices are being used to dominate the area, resulting in seizure of such wooden logs, cattle and other items.
